Roberto Carli

9.3

Full golden color in the glass. It leads with dried pineapple and maybe dried apricot, with a lot of intensity on the nose. The palate confirms it, adding a slight spicy note with a surprising bit of phenolic grip and enough acidity to balance, though it has gone clearly past its prime. — a month ago

Meredith Moody

9.4

Pale yellow color. Smells very citrusy and tropical, with a hint of some creaminess. On the first taste it was very bright, but had a richness on the finish. Definitely fruit forward, leans heavily towards tropical fruits like pineapple in the beginning. Has mineral/earthy notes towards the end. Very clean and dry. I really like this wine. Had it with spanish iberico ham, great combo. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have enjoyed this producers vineyard over many vintage and this might be the best.

The 22 vintage is stunning and as good as it is, 23 might be better based on a somewhat limited exposure at this point.

The entry is glorious…such balance and wire to wire it doesn’t change much.

Green apple, perfect lemon & lime pulp into subtle candy, grapefruit, white stone fruit, kiwi, tropical melons, pineapple, cream reduction, saline, perfect sea fossils, fine powdery taut chalkiness, crisp volcanics, white spice, grey volcanic minerals, limestone marl, mix of fresh & dry stubble herbs, honeysuckle, light caramel, warm lightly done toast, yellow florals, spring flowers with greens, grand waterfall acidity, beautiful structure-tension, incredible balance with an elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and long sets on volcanic minerals and spice.

Decanted 1 hour.

When I first started buying this bottling, it was $50-$60, now $150. Might be my last bought. My white spend has a more limited range than my red. Don’t think I’m alone.

A property Sofia & I have visited in 2015. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Medium lemon color with aromas of fresh ripe stone fruits and floral notes. On the palate fresh fruit flavors of apple, peach, citrus and pineapple with honey and savory toasty oak tones. Long finish ends with tangy citrus, biscuit and mineral notes. — 23 days ago

Vivi

9.0

Easy drinking, paired w/ pineapple mango Mahi Mahi ceviche, high acid bright stone fruit and lime — 2 months ago

Mark S.

9.1

Lemon yellow with green Chalk. Citrus peach. Mango. Pineapple. Vanilla. Rich. Buttery. Herb. Honeysuckle. From cool. Without MLF Elegant. From Calistoga.
Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M+ Acidity M++ Bitterness M+ Body M Finish M 13.8%
Fresh Dry Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 22 @17600, AD, 251210 — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Been awhile since I’ve had this one. Always consistently good.

Beautiful mousse, bruised red apple & Bosc pear, underripe pineapple flesh, blood orange, quince, nougat, hints of white peach, white spice-ginger, whipped cream, yeasty bread dough, sea spray, speckled chalk bits, grey volcanics, limestone, withering yellow lilies/flowers, crisp acidity, well tensioned-structured, well balanced and elegant finish that last two-minutes.

@BalancesRestaurant - Lucerne. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2020 Estate pours a bright, yellow/green color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright tropical fruit: pineapple, passion fruit, star fruit, lemon curd, almonds, toasted marshmallow, warm spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. Lovely stuff. Drink now through 2035+. Bottle No. 9032/12960 — 2 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

strong Sauvignon gray note. Tropical edges (pineapple)- clean green fruit. Young and vibrant. Probably better with time. — 3 months ago

with Ara

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

Sweet and unctuous. Perfectly aged with so many layers. Paired well with a pineapple upside down cake — 7 months ago